Review: ★★★ John Kearns: Don't Worry, They're Here (MICF)

John Kearns is a weird performer, and not just because of the bad wig and false teeth. His surrealist storytelling is innately divisive, you either love him or you hate him. But even with that hurdle taken into account, Don't Worry, They're Here comes off as a rather problematic show for the most part.

It can take a while to warm to the Kearns experience (he himself suggests a buffer of at least 15 minutes before making any judgements), but giving over to his comedy can yield more than satisfactory results. In truth, the outcome probably rests too heavily on this, as the show can feel stilted and tense if the crowd aren't on his side. There are moments where Kearns almost berates the crowd for not laughing enough, and the line between character and self become blurred. His mannerisms and tone are rigidly anchored to a level of Britishness that can be difficult to access and there's a sense that many of the more quirky gags are just not meant for Aussie ears.

It's almost impossible to discern between fact and fiction in the show, as Kearns jumps between random stories and attempts to bestow meaning upon them. But, while the UK comic splits his audience down the middle, he is a master of pathos and compassion. The tiny little flickers of the man behind the mask show themselves throughout the performance, but blink and they're gone just as quickly as the arrived. It's a phenomenon that can only really be described as unique. But whether punters grow to like him or not, not even Kearns could tell you that.

John Kearns presents Don't Worry, They're Here until 22 Apr at Melbourne Town Hall, part of the 2018 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.